Improvement in tents



,PATENT OFFICE.

VNELSON GROSS, OF NEW YORK, N.,Y.

AIt/IPROVEMENT.iN TENTS.`

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 39,721, dated September 1, l863.`

T0 `all whom it may concern: p

Be it known that I, NELSON Cnoss, ot the city, county, and State of NewYork, have invented a new and limproved field-tent or marque, particularly adapted to the use of army ofcers in active field-service; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full and exact description thereof', reference being had to the accompanyin g drawings or representations ofthe same.

In overcoinin g existing objections to the several kinds of ariny-tents in common use, the points sought to be attained by my invention are simplicity, strength, and cheapness of construction, together with rmness and economy ot'room when pitched, and lightness, compactness, and security against damage when folded and packed for transportation.

My invention consists of a light lattice and divergent frame-work of wood, around which the tentcover is drawn and fastened at suitable points by easy and simple contrivances. This frame is constructed of more or less straight bars or slats of wood, according to the required dimensions of the tent, and which, when fastened together, as hereinafter described, forin the skeleton of the sides and roof, the several parts holding such a mathematical relation to each other as to make nearly an equal distribution of whateverlifting or depressing strain the tent may be subjected to at any particular point.

Figure l represents a hexagonal fra me, with 'a conical roof extended to its proper proportions, for receiving the' tent cloth or cover. The sectional sides consist of two cross-bars, riveted together at a point equidistant from their four extremes, and coupled at their upper and lowei` ends by means of wire staples adjusted in such manner as to admit of a free action in opening apart or closing upon the center. 'lhe raftenbars, corresponding in number to the several sides, are united at their interior or upper ends by a wire ring passed through an eye, thus holding them firmly together at the apex of the frame, from which they are made to diverge, passing over and beyond the upper couplings of the side sections a distance equal to the width of the eaves, and being made fast to the side frame at the point of contact therewith by means of self adjusting keyed bolts or their mechanical equivalent. Thus constructed, the frame is complete. 1t may consist, however,-ot any required number of sectional sides, with a correspondingnuinber of rafterbars, withidiminutions of length or height corresponding to the required size of the tent.

Fig. H represents the marque complete and ready for occupation. The cover is fittedand made fast to the frame by means of pockets, into which the rafters` are inserted at their vergeht extremes, thus forming and holding in place the eaves projection of the tent proper, which is also made fast to the apex of the frame by passing a rope through to the inside and knotting the two ends upon leather or canvas washers, thus confining the cover to wall-bars from the inside immediately above Y the coupling in the manner of ordinary staplebolts or T-bars, `as illustrated in fractional drawings A, Figs. l and 2, thus answering the double. purpose of confining the cover and se curing the frame in its extended position without the aid of ground-pins or guys. The tent may be anchored to the ground by confining the frame in any convenient manner when the action ot' high winds renders it necessary. The entrance is formedover some one of the diamond openings of the iframe in the ordinary manner with tents now in use, the same being closed at the bottom by a wooden bar or pin equal in length to twice the width of the lap or fold, and attached by the ends, respectively, to the lower verge of the inner and outer folds, so that when otherwise uniixed the tent may be readily drawn apart at the opening or closed by simply turning the bar end for end and confining it in a horizontal position.

One great advantage which this tent pos sesses over any hitherto produced is th at, inas- 4 which may be rendered impervious to water by simply oilingthe top, the eaves projection whereof, for the most part keeping the Walls dry. Another advantage is that the Walls may be raisednpon the frame to any required height With little trouble and Without disturbing the pitch, thus leaving a mere pavilioncover and giving free circulation to the air.

Another and still greater advantage is that more room is obtained, with less Weight to carry, and consequent increased facility of transportation either in Wagons or upon packmules, over any other form of tent.

i l make no claim to originality in the application of an interior framework of Wood to ield-tents, nor in dispensing with guys in the pitching; but

What I claim as my invention is l. The construction of an adjustable Walltent frame with more or less angular sides, conical roof, and eaves-brackets, Wholly cornposed of straight pieces of Wood, the body of which is joined together in a lattice form, and made capable of extension for occupancy or depression for transportation Without altering or `disturbing the fastenings, Whil affords between the diamond openings of the frame when extended an ample and convenient entrance-Way.

2. The combination of the several parts of the frame and the form and mode of attaching and distending the cover, as heretofore described, and as and for the purposes aforesaid.

' NELSON GROSS.

Attest:

H. L. VAN Nuss, W. O. DERMODY. 

